The V.I. Police Department on Saturday arrested a suspect after two armed, masked men robbed a waterfront jewelry store in Charlotte Amalie, assaulting one employee and threatening others.
Police said the arrested man has been identified as 23-year-old Jamari Benjamin of Estate Nadir.
According to the VIPD report, at 9:34 a.m. Sept. 19, the 911 emergency call center dispatched officers to Gold Corner, a St. Thomas jewelry store, in reference to an armed robbery.
The employees of the store police that two masked men, dressed in all black and armed with rifles, exited a white Suzuki Vitara. The two men entered the store brandishing the firearms. Witnesses said the suspects assaulted an employee and threatened others. They broke the showcases and took jewelry from the store before fleeing the area, police were told.
With the help of citizens on social media, the VIPD launched a dragnet for the suspects. During the course of the investigation, officers recovered ammunition, stolen jewelry, and other evidence related to the robbery.
At approximately 2:28 p.m., one of the suspects, Benjamin was arrested, and charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, first-degree assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm, aiding and abetting, conspiracy, grand larceny, possession of stolen property and disturbance of the peace.
“I commend my officers who followed leads in pursuit of those who committed this bold and brazen act, said St. Thomas/St. John Chief of Police Steven Phillip. “We will continue to investigate to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable for their criminal acts.”
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 extension 5610, or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS).
